Manipur's oldest insurgent group UNLF signs peace accord

The United National Liberation Front, the oldest militant group based in Manipur signed a peace agreement in New Delhi on Wednesday. 

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah shared a post on microblogging platform X and called it a 'historic milestone'. The caption reads, “A historic milestone achieved!!! Modi govt’s relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast have added a new chapter of fulfillment as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) signed a peace agreement, today in New Delhi.”

The peace agreement signed today with the UNLF by the Government of India and the Government of Manipur marks the end of a six-decade-long armed movement.

It is a landmark achievement in realising PM @narendramodi Ji's vision of all-inclusive development and providing a better… pic.twitter.com/P2TUyfNqq1

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 29, 2023

 
The home minister added, “UNLF, the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur has agreed to renounce violence and join the mainstream. I welcome them to the democratic processes and wish them all the best in their journey on the path of peace and progress.”

MHA bans meitei extremist organisations

Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned several extremist organizations including PLA, UNLF, KCP, PREPAK, and several others. The peace agreement took place days after the UNLF along with several other extremist organizations was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). 

The decision was made because the Center believed that these groups were engaging in activities that were destructive to India's sovereignty and integrity, as well as attacks and killings of police, security forces, and civilians in Manipur.

What is UNLF?

In the northeastern state, the UNLF is the oldest Meitei insurgent group, founded on November 24, 1964, under Areambam Samrendra Singh.

The group focused mostly on recruiting and mobilization throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It made the decision to start an armed campaign in 1990 in order to 'liberate' Manipur from India. That same year, the Manipur People's Army (MPA) was established as its armed wing.